Hub for public governance

European Blend is an intelligent peer review format that helps to improve the quality of governance. European Blend generates new ideas, identifies solutions and brings concrete improvements. The instruments of European Blend are

  • international peer review processes
  • the swarm intelligence of interdisciplinary professional tribunes
  • and contextualisation by leading guests and media people

European Blend is aimed at cities, authorities, organisations or companies that want to improve their work, processes and services.

In the classic edition of European Blend, the city, authority, organisation or company that commissions European Blend is given the opportunity to look over the shoulders of colleagues from abroad who are facing the same challenges. In this way, new ideas, solutions and concrete improvements are generated from ongoing projects that are ideally at an early project stage. At the same time, fundamental questions can be addressed.

As a rule, three projects oder Herausforderungen on a key topic are presented and analysed. The moderated exchange between teams from the three administrative units or organisations is accompanied by the swarm intelligence of a professional panel of up to 35 experts. In the evening, each classic edition of European Blend concludes with a panel discussion with prominent participants who present the topic in a memorable way for the audience.

European Blend Audacity presents innovative, socially relevant solutions and, together with international experts, analyses what is needed to ensure that a product, service or solution that works in one city, region or country can be used everywhere in Europe. European Blend Audacity is a studio format of the European Blend Edition that utilises peer review and swarm intelligence in a concentrated form.

European Blend Workshop analyses a socially relevant challenge together with international experts. What is needed to tackle the problem and find solutions? European Blend Workshop is a studio format of the European Blend Edition that utilises peer review and swarm intelligence in a concentrated form.

The European Live series sheds light on European issues in all their facets. Leading minds share their views on a topic, creating new perspectives and ideas.

Founder of European Blend Andrea Roman Sorg Andrea Roman Sorg has been responsible for dozens of events in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium and Scandinavia with high-quality content for various clients since 2001. He was a producer for ARD in Geneva and Zurich and director of the NZZ Podium Europa in Berlin, the former international event series of the Neue Zürcher Zeitung. He is a partner in Schwarzsee Limited, an editorial event boutique based in Zurich. Schwarzsee's clients include leading European media organisations, universities and government agencies. In addition to European Blend, Schwarzsee Limited also runs the peer-review format Stadtluft (www.stadtluft.org), an identical format for urban planning. Andrea Sorg studied history, journalism and literature (lic. ès lettres) in Geneva, London and Fribourg and speaks German, French, English and Norwegian. He is married to a Scandinavian and has two daughters. In his free time, he enjoys sports, devouring newspapers, reading books and exploring big cities.

The sister format for urban quality of life

January 14, 2026

European Blend Workshop

Will the German TGV network (finally) be built?

Why has Germany been so slow to introduce true high-speed rail, which has long been a competitive advantage in France, the Benelux countries, Spain, and Italy? Will the recently established Sondervermögen (special fund) for infrastructure change the outlook?

Place Berlin
Language German
Presentation Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Clients Trainline (London) & Omio (Berlin)

Leading minds thinking Europe

Take a look

June 11, 2026

European Blend classic Edition

“The (little) sister”

How should Winterthur position itself in the shadow of Zurich?

Place Winterthur
Language German
Presentation Financial Times
Clients Office for Urban Development of the City of Winterthur

European Blend Weekend

European Blend Weekend is the festival about the future of Europe and everything European in the 21st century. Why not learn from those who are already doing everything right today?

Join us and discuss with leaders from politics, business, culture, academia and civil society. Let's talk about ideas and concrete solutions to Europe's challenges. Who has the best approach? How can things be changed? Join the European debate.

Date 6/7 October 2023
Venue Neumarkt Theatre and Cabaret Voltaire
Language German, French, English
Presentation Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Le Monde, The Economist, Financial Times

Tickets

Visit our Festival Page

EUROPEAN BLEND, Zurich

European Zeitenwende

EUROPEAN BLEND is the festival about the future of Europe and everything European in the 21st century. Why not learn from those who are already doing things well today?

Join us and discuss with leaders from politics, business, culture, academia and civil society. Let's talk about ideas and concrete solutions to Europe's challenges. Who has the best approach? How can things be changed? Join the European debate. Take part in our public workshops. Be part of the EUROPEAN BLEND Festival.

Date November 4, 2022
Location Kosmos, Zurich
Language German, French, English
Presentation ARD, Frankfurter Allgemeine, Le Monde, The Economist

Tickets

Visit our Festival Page

European Event, Berlin

Luck and misfortune in Europe

Overnight, Europe has once again moved to the centre of world events. The EU's eastern external border once again marks a civilisational frontier. Here some of the richest, happiest and most egalitarian countries in the world, there a poor, unhappy, despotic and imperialist country invading a neighbouring state with tanks. In the short term, the Russian attack seems to unite Europe. But what are the medium and long-term consequences of the Russian aggression, reminiscent of 19th century wars of conquest?

Date September 6, 2022
Location Deutsches Theater, Berlin
Language German
Presentation Frankfurter Allgemeine

Download PDF | Tickets

European Event,
Zurich

Green revolution in times of war

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it is unclear how the green transformation of the economy can continue. How should the West replace Russian oil and gas? Will we have to rely on coal and nuclear power for longer after all, or will we succeed in phasing out fossil energy in favour of renewables sooner than expected? What does this mean for the economy as a whole, and what will the effort cost individual citizens? Will it be possible to secure acceptance despite high burdens?

Date April 28, 2022
Location Kosmos, Zurich
Language German
Media partner Frankfurter Allgemeine

Download PDF | Tickets

European Event,
Zurich

Small, multilingual and rich

Luxembourg and Switzerland are similar countries: both small, multilingual and rich. Yet while Switzerland is following a path of its own outside the European Union, Luxembourg has always been a poster child of European integration. Why is that? And what role has Germany played in this?

Date October 29, 2021
Location Kosmos, Zurich
Language German
Media partner Frankfurter Allgemeine

Download PDF | Tickets

Images from recent events

EUROPEAN BLEND Weekend: 50 shades of green, Zurich

Armin Nassehi delivering a keynote speech on the challenges politicians face in changing citizens' habits, particularly regarding climate protection.
In his keynote speech, Armin Nassehi talks about the difficulties politicians have in changing citizens' habits, especially when it comes to climate protection.
Government Councilor Martin Neukom speaks while Moderator Simon Strauss of the F.A.Z. listens with amusement.
Government Councilor Martin Neukom takes the floor. Moderator Simon Strauss of the F.A.Z. listens with amusement.
Anton Hofreiter and Breitling CEO Georges Kern debate about different shades of green in politics and business.
Green and Green. Anton Hofreiter, Chairman of the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union in the German Bundestag (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen) and the green-liberal Breitling CEO Georges Kern argue about the right shade of green.
Tiana Moser, parliamentary group leader of the Green Liberals, speaks as she intervenes in the discussion.
Tiana Moser, parliamentary group leader of the Green Liberals in the National Council, intervenes.
Joachim Buhmann, ETH Zurich Professor for Computer Science, explains the role of AI in climate protection.
Thinking AI along: Joachim Buhmann, Professor for Computer Science at ETH Zurich, on the question of whether and how artificial intelligence could help in the actual implementation of climate protection.
Moderator Simon Strauss, Financial Times editor, discusses green politics from various ideological perspectives.
Moderator Simon Strauss, editor at the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, knows his way around the Greens, whether ideologically or in terms of national borders, on both sides.

EUROPEAN BLEND Weekend: An introduction to a claim: Who does it best?, Zurich

Eastern European historian Karl Schlögel speaking about everyday life in Ukraine.
The Eastern European historian Karl Schlögel on the everyday life in Ukraine.
Swiss-German top manager Christoph Franz discussing lessons from Swiss tax competition.
Swiss-German top manager Christoph Franz wonders what Europe can learn from Swiss tax competition.
Female finance entrepreneur Nadine Jürgensen sharing insights on food in Europe.
Female Finance Entrepreneur Nadine Jürgensen on food in Europe.

EUROPEAN BLEND Weekend: Zurich-London-Express, Zurich

Manuel Renold on how digital solutions can significantly speed up international train traffic.
Jon Pult, President of the Committees for Transport and Telecommunications in the Swiss National Councils.
Gery Balmer, Vice Director Federal Office of Transport.
Philipp Maeder, Director of International Passenger Traffic SBB and President of TGV Lyria, and Andrea Sorg, founder of European Blend, take notes.
Alexander Ernert, of Trainline, Paris, speaks and Ed Butcher, of HS1, London, listens attentively.
Cécile Boutelet, the moderator of the workshop, asks a question.

EUROPEAN BLEND Weekend: Introduction to European Blend, Zurich

Simon Kuper, in conversation with Andrea Sorg, is a true European Blender.
Theatrewoman Hayat Erdoğan on her German-Turkish roots and her life and work in Zurich.
Headhunter Bjørn Johansson speaks many languages and searches for candidates all over the world.
Massimo Salgaro knows a lot about digital humanities, researches reading behaviour in a digital context and grew up bilingual in South Tyrol.
Simon Kuper on the importance of foreign languages and cultural identities.
Proud Norwegian who feels Swiss.

EUROPEAN BLEND Weekend: Clash of Civilization, Zurich

Karl Schlögel analyses the situation in Ukraine with eight theses.
Planning in scenarios, says Barbara Kux, is indispensable for companies in times of crisis.
Jan-Werner Müller gives nuance to the "Clash Civilization".
Carolyne de Gruyter sees the security issue dominating everything in Brussels at the moment.
Government Councillor Jacqueline Fehr gets involved. On the left, moderator Simon Kuper, Financial Times, listens attentively.
Frank Schimmelfennig, ETH Zurich, is responsible for the ad hoc analysis. Alongside him was his colleague Joachim Buhmann, who covered the "Thinking AI along" aspect.

EUROPEAN BLEND Festival: European Railway, Zurich

The German State Secretary responsible for the German Taktfahrplan, Susanne Henckel, makes a point.
Eric Cosandey, CEO of Zurich-based SMA und Partner AG, in conversation with Ed Butcher, head of business development at HS1 Limited in London.
Concentrated railway know-how from all over Europe.
The Swiss bestselling author Peter Stamm introduces.
The presenter Cécile Boutelet from Le Monde leads the debate with authority.
Andrea Sorg, founder of the EUROPEAN BLEND Festival at the final briefing with participants of the workshop "European Railway".

EUROPEAN BLEND Festival: Peace and War made in Europe, Zurich

Harold James, professor of History & International Affairs, Princeton University, speaks while Caroline de Gruyter, European columnist, NRC Handelsblad in Amsterdam, listens attentively.
Laurent Goetschel, director swisspeace, Basel, speaks.
Alla Sarbach, active member of the Ukrainian Diaspora in Switzerland, Zurich, brings in her perspective.
Harold James is speaking. Leaning into the picture is Staffan Lindberg, professor of political science at the University of Gothenburg.
Swiss-Russian writer Mikhail Shishkin speaks on the question of whether there is hope for Russia.
Concentrated foreign affairs know-how from all over Europe and North America.

EUROPEAN BLEND Festival: Global Europe, Zurich

Harold James, Professor of History and International Affairs at Princeton University, in his element.
Harold James at the centre of the debate.
Staffan Lindberg, Professor of Political Science, University of Gothenburg, speaks. Next to him, Sanija Ameti, Co-President Operation Libero, Zurich, listens attentively.
Vendeline von Bredow, Senior Germany Correspondent of The Economist, leads the debate with ease.
Barbara Kux, a member of the supervisory boards of Henkel and Firmenich and a member of the international advisory board of Adobe, Zurich.
The illustrious audience in Zurich's Kulturhaus Kosmos.

European Event: Luck and misfortune, Berlin

The Swiss writer Adolf Muschg and the member of the Bundestag Wolfgang Schäuble listen attentively.
Ping Pong of the philosopher with the statesman.
View of the stage of the Deutsche Theater Berlin.
The (intellectual) sky is the limit.
Friedericke Haupt, political correspondent of the Frankfurter Allgemeinen Sonntagszeitung in Berlin challenges Adolf Muschg.
Ingeborg Schäuble (left) and Atsuko Kanto-Muschg sit in the front row and have fun.

European Event: Green revolution in times of war, Zurich

President of the State of Baden-Württemberg Winfried Kretschmann.
Vice-Chairman of Blackrock Philipp Hildebrand speaks while Swiss National Councillor Corina Gredig listens.
Swiss National Councillor Corina Gredig speaks while Vice-Chairman of Blackrock Philipp Hildebrand listens.
Corina Gredig listens attentively to Winfried Kretschmann's statement.
Philipp Hildebrand has the floor.
The moderator Johannes Ritter, Switzerland correspondent of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, leads the debate with ease.

European Event: Small, multilingual and rich, Zurich

Jean Asselborn, Foreign Minister of Luxembourg, speaks while Tiana Moser, Swiss National Councillor and President of the Foreign Affairs Commission, and Jürgen Trittin, Member of the German Bundestag and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee there, listen.
Jürgen Trittin and the writer Lukas Bärfuss have fun.
Presenter and Swiss F.A.Z. correspondent Johannes Ritter in his element.
Jean Asselborn and Tiana Moser.
Stage design in the Zurich Kosmos.
ETH Professor of European integration Frank Schimmelfennig in an ad-hoc analysis of the debate.

Leading minds thinking Europe

Portrait Sanija Ameti
Sanija Ameti
Portrait Jean Asselborn
Jean Asselborn
Portrait Gery Balmer
Gery Balmer
Portrait Lukas Bärfuss
Lukas Bärfuss
Portrait Vendeline von Bredow
Vendeline von Bredow

Partners

So far, the following partners have made events by European Blend in Berlin and Zurich possible:

Cooperation with the media

To date, European Blend events have been presented by journalists from the following media: